Samantha McGuire
Kurobe BoE
Elementary School/ Special Needs
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Class time needed for lesson: 45 minutes
Class size taught: 25 students or fewer
Target audience: Kurobe schools start English lessons in 1st grade. I have done this activity with my 1st graders, but this can be used with all age groups in elementary school.
Objective: Learning different body parts through the song, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” and total physical response.
目的：歌と動きにより、楽しく体の部分（部位）の英語を学ぶ
Materials：
Flashcards for head, shoulder, knee, toe, eye, ear, mouth, nose.
CD/MP3 player with song
Chalk/Marker
Blackboard/Dry erase board
Procedure:
Greeting: Hello everyone! How are you?
Song: Play Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Some of the students may already know the song and the motions. Have everyone try to sing and dance together. It’s ok if they don’t know the song and the words. They’ll pick it up.
Introduce vocabulary: Introduce in the order of the song- head, shoulder, knee, toe, eye, ear, mouth, and nose. Have the students repeat after you and point to the body part they are saying. After introducing each new body part, I usually repeat the new words from the beginning and have the students say them with me.
Game #1: Magic Word. Pick one word to be the “magic word.” Have students repeat each word after you, but be silent and clap after you say the “magic word.” If they say the “magic word,” just laugh with them. Try to use each new vocabulary word as the “magic word.”
Game #2: Simon Says (Command Game). Introduce yourself as Simon. Have the home room teacher help you demonstrate the game. I use the phrase “Simon says touch your head; ears; nose; etc.” The students will then touch the said body part and say the word aloud. If the students show that they understand what is being said after a few times, then I add the rule that the command must be proceeded by the phrase “Simon says.” If they follow the command without the phrase (e.g. Touch your head vs. Simon says touch your head), I say, “Uh oh! Simon didn’t say” and make the X sign with my arms. No one gets eliminated from the game.
Song: After going over the new vocabulary words, do the song and dance again. It’s good to listen for any changes in knowledge and confidence while students are singing the song.
Usually, there is time left over. At this point, I have the students draw a class monster. I ask for someone to draw each body part of the monster. The homeroom teacher picks which student comes to the board. The kids are usually very amused.
Additional information:
If you have shyer, older students, pick a couple of your most outgoing students as volunteers to sing and dance with you in front of the class. Just be silly with them and enjoy. It’s supposed to be fun!